Apparatus for the control of railway signals



E. M. ALLEN 1,842,643

APPARATUS Fox THE coNToL oF RAILWAY SIGNAL@ i Jan.` 26, 1932'.

Filed Sept. 12. 1930 Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARL M. ALLEN, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH 6c SIG-NAL COMPANY, SYLVANIA l OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- ALPPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF RAILWAY SIGNALS Application led September 12, 1930. Serial No. 481,472.

This invention relates to apparatus for the control of highway signals at railway crossings. One ot the objects of the invention is the provision oit means whereby signal operating mean responsive to approach of a train to a crossing may be readily cut out when a train for any reason stops in an ap- Apreach section and whereby the signal control .means may subsequently be restored when the train proceeds. A further iniportant object is to provide means whereby crossing signals may be set in operation when a train receding from the crossing reverses its direction of travel and proceeds toward the crossing. The invention is particularly useful in congested territories where switching and train stops render desirable the suspension and resumption of crossing signal oi'ieration. The invention further comprises ineens whereby the manual control circuits may be restored to normal condition either manually or automatically. Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawing consists of a diagrammatic view illustrative of my invention,

.Referring to the drawing the reference character A designates a highway which crosses a railway track X. Highway crossing signals 2, 2 of the usual type are connected in parallel as shown and are controlled by track sections on each side ot the crossing. ln the example illustrated the signals 2, 2, are controlled by track sections, 8, 4 and 5 on one side of the crossing and by sections 6, 7 and 8 extending on the other side of said crossing.

ft relay 9 is controlled by track relays 10, ll, 12, connected to the respective track sections 8, 4 and 5. `When none of said sections is occupied by a train said track relays are energized and a circuit through relay 9 is thereby established as follows: from termi nal ot a battery or other source of electrical energy not shown in the drawing, through wire lil, armature 14 and front contact l5 et track relay l2, wire 16, armature 1T and front contact 18 oit track relay 11, wire i9, arniature 2O and trent contact 21 of track relay 10, wire 22, relay 9, and wire 23 to the opposite terminal C of said source. lVhen a train approaching the crossing from the lett enters section 5, the track relay 12 is deenergized and the circuit through relay 9 is broken. Armature 24 of relay 9 then engages back contact 25, thereby closing the circuit :tor operating the crossing signale 2, as follows: from terminal B, through back contact 26 and armature 27 of relay 28, wire 29, back contact 30 and armature 81 of relay 32, wire 83, back contact 25 and armature 24 of relay 9, wire 34, wires and 36, the signals 2, 2 and Wires 87, 38 to terminal C. Armature 24 remains engaged with back contacts 25 as long as any one of the track relays 10, 11 or 12 is cle-energized, and thus provision is ina/de for operation of the crossing signals as long as the train Iapproaching the crossing from the lett is in any ot the sectionsB, 4 or 5. Similar means are provided for causing operation of the crossing signals when a train approaches the crossing from the right. For this purpose a relay 39 similar to relay9 is controlled by track relays 40, 41 and 42, connected to the respective track sections 6, 7 and 8. So long as none ot the track sections 6, 7 or 8 is occupied, relay 39 is energized over the following circuit: from terminal B, through wire 48, front contact 44 and armature 45 ot relay 42, front contact 46 and armature 47 of relay 41, wire 48, armature 49 and front Contact 5() ot relay 40, Wire 50', relay 89, and wire 89 to terminal C. When a `train approaching the crossing from the right is in any one of the track sections 6. 7 or 8, the circuit through relay 39 is broken and an operating circuit for thesignals 2 is established, as follows: from terminal B through wire 51, back contact 52 and armature 58 ot' relay 54, wire 55, back contact 56 and armature 57 of relay58, wire 59, back contact 60 and armature 61 ot relay 89, wires 62, 34, 35 and 3G, signals 2, 2 and Wires 37, 38 to terminal C.

When a train approaching the crossing troni the right passes out of section 6, the circuit through relay 40 is again established, armature 6l is disengaged from back Contact 60, and the signal operating circuit is thus disrupted. Upon the entry of said train into section 3, the track relay 19 is Cle-energized, and its armature 2O engages back Contact While relay 9 is cle-energized, this relay is oi" the slow-acting type, and its armature 64 circuit for thersignals 2, 2 is prevented; one Y branch of said circuitbeing open at back contact 69 of rela-y 39 and the other branch at back contact 30 of relay Upon the release of relay 9 at the expiration of itsrhold ing time,arinature 69 of relay 9 engages back contact 70 and a stick circuit is established through relay 32 by way of terminal B, armature 69 and back contact 79 of relay 9, Wire 66, back contact 71 and armature 72 of relay 28, wire 73, front contact v74 and armature 7 5 of relay 32, wire 67, relay 32, and wire 68 to terminal C. The relay 32 remains energized until relay9 is again energized, or,

. in other Words, until the train which is receding from the crossing has emerged from track section 5.

Similarly, when a train `which approached thecrossing from the left passes out oitV track section 3, relay 9 is again energized and its armature 24 is disengaged from back contact `25, thus opening thesignal operating circuit.

which wasestabli'shed upon the entry of the train. into section lhile the track relay 40 is cle-energized' upon entry of said train into section 6, thus de-energizing relay 39, the latter, like relay 9, is of the slow acting` type, and its armature 76 remains in engagement with front contact 76. a suflicient time to per-mit current to flow from terminal B through the armatures and front contacts of relays 41 and 42, wire 48, armature 49 and Aback'contact 77 of relay 40, wire 78, front Contact 76 and armature 76 ot relay 39, wires f7,9 and 80, relay 58, and wire 81 to terminal C.' Relayk 58 is'thus energized and its armature 57 is disengaged from back contact 36. The establishing of an operating circuit through the signals 2, 2, is thus'prevented; onebranch of said circuit being open at back Contact 25 of relay 9, and the other branch at back contact 56 of relay 58. Upon the release of relay 39 at the expiration oi its holding time, armature 116 of said relay engages back contact 117, anda stick circuit through relay Y58,is,established'by way ot' terminal B, armature V116 and back contact 117 of relay 39,

4wire 78back contact. 118 and armature 119 ofV relay 54,-wire-120, front Contact 121 and armature 122 of relay 58, wires 79 and 80, relay 58 and wire 81 to terminal C.

It will thus be apparent that provision is made for operation of the signals 2, 2, upon the approach of a train to the crossing A from either direction and for the prevention of operation of said signals as the train recedes from said crossing in either direction.

I have provided means whereby the operation ofl the 'crossing signals may be cut out and restarted at will when a train is on either side of the crossing, and vwhereby furthermore the sign-als may be set in operation when a train receding from the crossing reverses its direction and approaches said crossing.

When, for example, a train approaching the crossing `from the left stops at station -D Vand it is desired tol discontinue temporarily the operation of the crossing signals, a push button 82 is momentarily depressed, establishing a low of current from terminalB vthrough contact 83, push button contact 84,

wire 85, relay 86,7wire 87, armature 88 and back contact 89 of relay 9 (which was deenergized by the approach of said train) wire 99, relay 28, and W're 91 to terminal C. Relay 28 is thus energized and the signal operating circuit is disrupted by the disengagement of armature 27 from backV contact 26 ofsaid relay. Energization of' relay 864 causes armature 92' of'said relay to engage contact 93, whereby a stick circuit is established through relays 86 and 28 from terminal B through the normally engaged contacts 94 and 95, wire 97, front contact 93 and armature 92 ofrelay 86, wire 85 and thence as before through relays 86 and V28. Thus, said relays86 and y28 remain energized notwithstanding the'release of push button 82. Now,

when a train is aboutto proceed from the I station D across the crossing A, the push button 96 is momentarily depressed, disengaging contact 95-from cont-act 94 and breaking the circuit through relays 86 and 28, whereby contact 26 is again engaged by armature 27 of relay 28 and the operating circuit for the Asignals 2, 2-is again established.l

Should trie train rec-ede from the station after push button 82 has been depressed to discontinue operation of the crossing signals, the circuit through relays 86 and 28 will be broken upon energization of relay 9 and consequent disengagement of armature 88 from lcontact 89, and the signal controlling circuit is thus automatically restored to normal condition. Similarly, if after button 82 has been 4depressed the operator should neglect to de- Y.press button 96 and the train should proceed across the crossing, the picking up of relay 9 de-energizes relays 86 and 28 and the signal controlling circuit is automatically restored to normal.

In case a train approaching the crossing from the right stops in section 6 before reach- A ing the crossing, and it is desired to discond 'l to engage contact 100 with contact 101 Current now flows lroin terminal B 'through contacts 101 and 100, Wire 102', relay '103, frire 101, ar1natnre105 and back contact 105.3 et relay 39 (which was 'cle-energized hy the approach of said train), Wire 107, relay and wire to terminal C. Relays 103 and il are thus energized; the energization olf relay 541 disengagingg armature 53 'lroin haci: Contact 52 and thus breaking the operating circnit for the signals 2, Q. l'lner- ,oization of relay 103 engages arn'nitnre 100 with contact and thus closes a :ick circuit throngrh rela 103 and 54 trein terminal B, i'lironn'h normally closed contacts 111, 112, Wire. 113, liront i'rontact 110 and armature 109 ci" re ay 103, Wire 114i and wire 102 and thence as hi "ore tl'irongijh relays 103 and 5; whereby said relays 103 nd il remain energized notwithstanding# release of push button 09. 'lli/Then the train which halted in section 6 is ahout to proceed across the crossing A, the push button is operated to dialoog-ago f :ontact 112 troni contact 111, whereby relays 103 and 5st are cle-energized, armature 53 is rex-engaged with contact 51, and the signal o oeratini;` circuit is again established. Since the engragieinezat olt armatore 105 with Contact 100 of relay is a prerequisite 'to enerejization ot relays oil and 103, it will be evident that Said relays Will be antoniatically dcei'iergrised and the signal controlling circuit `f restored to neainziil should the train which ha ite-d in on 0 proceed across the crossing; withont depression ot button 111, or it said train, instead of proceeding across the crossingg, should recede a sullieient distance 'from the creating; to cause relay 80 to he cle-'enen rif/led.

lt has been noted that when a train prois receding' 'from the crossinfr :rif/led an` si nia hrouc'h iny invention,

breals the stica circuit which was e through relay 32 pursuant te the ei .t train into section 3. lelay 32 is thus deed and its arii'iature 31 is engijal'ed with contact 230. Upon then momentarily depressing push hatten 00, the operator dernier* rines the relays lo and 28; the de-energrir/,fn tion ol relay 2h resulting in engagement ol Since ai back Contact 20 by armature 2i.

inature 27 non7 engages back contact 26 and armature 31 o' relay 32 is engaged with back Contact 30, it will he apparent that an operating` circnit is established through the signals 2, 2; the track relay 10 and thus the relay 9 having been cle-energizec by the entry of the train into section 3, and armature 241 being thus in engagement with hack contact 25.

Likewise, should it be desired that a train receding` frointhe crossingin section 6 reverse its travel and approach said crossing, the signals 2, 2, may be set in action by successive momentary depression oi' push 1mittens 99 and 115. Depression of push button 99 energizes relays 10i-l and 541; the energization of relay 5l breaking; the stiel; circuit through relay 50 by disengaging armature 119 from contact 118, and thas dra-energizing said relay 58 whereby armature 5'? is engaged with contact 50. Depression ot hatten 115 fle-enerH relays 103 and 511, arniatnre 53 et relay 54 returning; into engagement with contact 52. rThe crossings`ll signal circuit is thus established, armature 01 ot relay 39 having engaged back contact G0 in response to the entry of the train into section 6.

Means are provided for indhcating,` to the attendant Wheth .r or not the signal control circuits are manually cut ont. For this purpose, relay 00 is provided with an arniatilre Which engages hack contffict 120 se long' as relay 80 is de-energizedit such time current flows troni terminal B through said armature and back contact, Wire 127, light 180, and Wire 131 to t nal C. When re lay 86 is energized current `from terminal B flows throngh armature 125, front contact 182, Wire 1.33, and light 13d4 to terminal C.

Lie'it 130 nia be eonvenientl colored nreen L'.

ka y D and light 134i red. The attendant is thus continuously apprised of the condition of the manual control circuit associated with relay 0G. Similarly relay 103 has an armature 185 engageable with either back Contact or front contact 137' to thereby cause current to flow through either cf the dillerently colored lights 138, 130 and thus indicate the condition ol the manual control circuit associated With said relay 103.

i he teiins and expressions w non iave cnr ployed are used terras et description and not of limitation, and l have no intention, in the rise of such tei-ins and expressions, ol ein cliiidiinp, any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, hat recon;n niZe that various modifications are possihle within the scope of the invention claimed.

l claim:

1. In apparatus ler the control of a highf Way signal at a railway crossing', a section of railway track, a tri' ck relay connected to the rails adjacent one end ot said section, a crossing' signal control relay contr lled by said track relay for causing operation of the signal during approach of a train to the crossing, means c mprising a relay controlled by said crossing signal control relay for causing Cessation oi operation of the signal in response to recession of said train from the crossing through said section, and means comprising a manually controlled relay for causing cessation ot' operation of said signal at the will of an operator.

2. ln apparatus for the cont-rol of a high- -way signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a normally energized relay, means whereby said relay is cle-energized upon the entry of a train into said section, a second relay controlled by the lirst mentioned relay, a manually' controlled relay, and connections comprising contacts of the respective relays for causing operation of said'signal.

r ln apparatus for the Control of highway signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway traclVF a normally energized slowacting relay, means whereby said relay is deenergized upon the entry of a train into said section, a relay controlled by the first mentioned relay, a manually controlled relay, and

' connections com nisin y contacts of the respective relays for causing operation of said signal.

In apparatus for the control of a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a normally energized slowacting relay, means including a track relay whereby said slow-acting relay is cle-energized upon entry of a train into said section, a second relay controlled by a front contact of said slowcting relay, a manually controlled relay; and a circuit including a back contact of' said slow-acting relaT a back contact oi' said second relay, and a back contact of said manually controlled relay, for causing operation of said signal.

5. ln apparatus for the control of a highway signal at a railway crossing, a series of sections of railway track each provided with Aa track relay, a slow-acting relay controlled by said track relays, an auxiliary relay controlled by said slow-acting relay for energization in response to entry of a train from a given direction into one of said sections, a stick circuit for said auxiliary relay; a manuali f operable relay, and connections dependent upon cle-energization of said slowacting relay, said auxiliary relay, and said manually operable relay for causing operation of the crossing signal.

6. ln apparatus for the control of a highway signal, at a railway crossing, a series of sections of railway track each provided .with a track relay, a slow-acting relay controlled by the track relays for said sections, an auX- iliary relay controlled by said slow-acting relay for energization in response to entry of a train from a given direction into one of said sections, a stick circuit for said auX- iliary' relay controlled by said slow-acting Yrelay; a manually operable relay; and means by the track relays for said section, an auX- iliary relay controlled by a front contact of the slow-acting relay for energization in response to entry of a train from a given direction into one of said sections, a stick circuit for said auxiliary relay, a manually operable relay; means operating upon cle-energization of said slow-acting relay, said auxiliary relay and said manually operable relay for cansino' operation of the crossing signal; said manually operable relay having means controlling said vstick circuit, and means comprising contacts controlled by said slowacting relay for controlling the energization of said manually operable relay.

8. ln apparatus forthe control of a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, means comprising a relay responsiveto entry of a train into said section for causing operation of a crossing signal, means comprising a relaycontrolled by the first mentioned relay for preventing operation of the signal in response to receding of a train from the crossing in said'section,

and manually operable means Vfor controlling the second mentioned relay to cause operation ofthe signal in the event of reversal of said receding movement.

9. In apparatus for the control of a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a first relay, means controlled by said first relay Jfor causing operation of a crossing signal,-means comprising a track relay responsive to the entry vof a train into said section for controlling said first relay, a manually controllable relay, means controlled thereby for rendering said first mentioned means ineffective, and means controlled by said first relay for preventing operation of said' manually controllable relay.

l0. In apparatus for Vthe control of a hig way signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a first relay, means controlled by said first relay for causing operation of a crossing signal, means comprising a track relay responsive to the entry of a train into said section for controlling said first relay, means comprising a second relay controlled by said first relay for preventing operation of the crossing signal when a train recedes from Ythe crossing in said section, manual control means comprising a third relay for preventing operation of the crossing signal lll at the will of an operator, and connections controlled by said third relay for throwing out of action said second relay.

l1. ln apparatus for the control of a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section ot railway track, a iirst relay, connections controlled by said l st relay tor causing operation of a eros ng signal, means comprising a track relay responsive to the entry oit a train into l section 'for controlling said firstrelay, means ronrin'ising a second relay controlled by said first relay tor pre- 'ventin g operation of the crossing signal when a train recedes from the crossing in said section, manual control means comprising a 'third relay tor preventing operation ot the vos signal at the will of an operator, conn 'tions controlled by said third relay for throwing out or" action said second re .y, and manual means 'for Cle-energizing said third relay.

l2. ln apparatus :for the control ot a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section ot railway track, a first relay, connections controlled by said lirst relay for causing operation ot a crossing signal, means comprising a track relay responsive to entry of a train into said section for controlling said lirst relay, means comprising a second relay controlled by said lirst relay for preventing operation of the crossing signal when a train recedes trom the crossing in said section, manual control means comprising a third relay :tor preventing operation of the crossing igual at the will of an operator, connections controlled by said third relay for throwing out oit action said second relay, and means for (ile-energizing said third relay either manually or automatically.

ll. ln apparatus tor the control of a highway si goal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a lirst relay, connections controlled by said Yfirst relay lor causing operation of a crossino' signal, means comprising a track relay responsive to the entry ot a train into said section tor controlling said tust relay, manual control means for rendering said lirst relay ineilectiye to control said signal, and means for indicating to an attendant 'whether the manual control means is in or out oli action.

jl-l. ln ailiparatus for the control ot a highway signal at a railway crossing, a section of railway track, a slow-acting relay, connections controlled by said relay for causing operation of a crossing signal, means comprising a track relay responsive to tbe entry ol a train into said section for controlling` said slow-acting relay, means comprising a third relay energized over contacts controlled by said slow-acting relay for preventing operation of the crossing` signal when a train recedes from the crossing in said section, a stick circuit for said third relay, a manually controllable relay having contacts controlling both the connections for causing operation of said signal and said stick circuit, means cornprising a manually operable element for energizing said manually controllable relay to thereby disrupt both said connections, and means comprising a second manually operable element tor causing said manually controllable relay to be deenergized `l5. ln combination, a section oi railway track, track relay for said section, a slow acting relay, a circuit lor said slow acting relay, including a front contact of said 'track relay, a, stick relay, an auxiliary relay, a iwi ck up circuit for said stick relay including a back contact of said track relay and a. 'iront Contact of said slow acting relay, a stick circuit tor said stick relay including back contacts of said slow acting relay and said auxiliary relay and a front contact ot' the stick relay, a manually controlled circuit tor said auxiliary relay, and a signal controlled by said slow acting relay, by said stick relay, and by said auxiliary relay.

lo. ln combination, a section of railway track, a. track relay for said section, a slow acting relay, a circuit for said slow acting relay including a front contact of said track relay, a stick relay, an auxiliary relay, a pick up circuit for said stick relay including a back contact of said track relay and a Jfront contact ot said slow acting relay, a stick circuit for said stick relay including back contacts of said slow acting relay and said auxiliary relay and a front Contact of the stick relay, a manually controlled circuit for said auxiliary relay, a signal; and an operating circuit for said signal including back contacts of said slow acting relay, said stick relay, and said auxiliary relay.

l?. In combination, a section of railway track, a track relay for said section, a slow acting relay, a circuit for said slow acting relay including a front contact of said track relay, a stick relay, an auxiliary relay, a pick up circuit tor said stick relay including a back contact or" said track relay and a front contact ot said slow acting relay, a stick circuit for said stick relay including back contacts of said slow acting relay and said auxiliary relay and a front contact of the stick relay, a manually controlled circuit for said auxiliary relay including a back contact ot said slow acting relay; and a signal control-led by said slow acting relay, by said stick relay, and by said auxiliary relay.

18. ln combination, a section ot railway track, a track relay for said section, a slow acting relay, a circuit for said slow acting relay including a front Contact of said track relay, a stick relay, an auxiliary relay, a pick up circuit for said stick relay including a back contact of said track relay and a front contact of said slow acting relay, a stick circuit for said stick relay including back contacts oi said slow acting relay and said auxiliary relay and a front Contact of the stick relay, an Y additional relay, two manually operable push buttons; a pickup circuit for'said auxiliary relay and said additional relay in series controlled by one of said manually operable push buttons, a branch for said pickup circuit around said one push button Controlled by the other said push button and including a front Contact of said additional relay; and a signal Controlled by said slow acting relay by said stick relay, and by said auxiliary relay.

i In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 8th day of September, 19,30.

' EARL M; ALLEN.

meas@ 

